Born for adventure, my dedication to science and discovery has taken me around the globe. From supporting habitat conservation of rhinos in Kenya to diving the frigid fjords of Norway. From leading the charge to propagate sand tiger sharks in Florida to pursuing coral reef restoration in the Philippines. I have lived my life to travel and explore as a new world Viking.

My insatiable curiosity and engaging personality on camera have won the hearts of local, national, and international audiences. I have had the opportunity to combine my passion for the environment with my captivating personality as one of 12 contestants competing in the Norwegian reality television show Alt for Norge, a.k.a. The Great Norway Adventure, (2013).

Third generation Norwegian-American, Patti hails from her Scandinavian roots in Wisconsin participating in the Stoughton Syttende Mai parade during her years in high school marching band. A well-practiced novice in Rosemåling, she has enjoyed this traditional form of decorative folk art which was introduced to her by her great aunt when she was a teen. Patti has carried on this tradition by fostering this skill with her two daughters when they were teens.

Patti Hovland-Saunders is an industry leader in Higher Education Administration and Human Resource Development, she is a mentor for both academic programs and organizational development systems designed to drive business initiatives by applying strategic business tools for maximizing information technology solutions to support financial and fiscal responsibilities.

Patti is an experienced board member in various positions including past-president of the International Society for Performance Improvement. She currently serves in her third term as the secretary for the Scandinavian Trade Association.

Tom is the previous president of the STA from 2016-2018 and is now head of the Tampa Bay International Business Council.  Tom has also written an article for Viking Magazine entitled “Scandinavians and Suffrage”. He has been active in both government military and the private sector including the management of corporations and operation of their family business. He holds two graduate degrees and a post graduate Government Strategic Leader Certificate. Tom is currently working on his Ph.D. in business and is also a member of the Rotary, Sons of Norway, and Red River Danes.

Nikki has been developing websites since 2010 and is currently a project manager and business consultant.

She decided to reach out to non-profits in order to help bring attention to their missions. She has always loved the Scandinavian culture, learning about it and loves the mission behind the STA.

Currently Nikki has her Bachelors in Conflict Management, has her Certified ScumMaster and Six Sigma Green Belt professional certifications and is working on her Master’s in Project Management.  Her passion is helping people and managing difficult projects.